Suaram's 12 demands for 12th GE
A coalition of civil society organisations unveiled its 12-point human rights demands at a press conference at the Chinese Assembly Hall today.
Representing the 51 groups, Suaram executive director Yap Swee Seng said they were releasing their list of demands ahead of polling day on March 8, to remind voters that there are other issues besides development in this country.
Among the demands the coalition has put up include the abolishment of the Internal Security Act 1960 and the Emergency (Public Order and Prevention of Crime) Ordinance 1969.
This Acts, he said, were unjust as it provides for indefinite detention without trial. The group also urged the authorities to either release or charge all those detained without trial under these laws.
Other demands include the abolishment of Sedition Act and repeal of the Printing Presses and Publication Act, the freedom to assemble and form associations without hindrance and adoption of the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC).
Asked on the government’s presentation of the Special Complaints Commission Bill in Parliament recently, Yap said "it was not enough."
Not new demands
"The government set up a Royal Commission to look into the issue and the IPCMC was suggested. But to date this hasn’t been implemented yet. As for the Special Complaints Commission Bill, it is only five percent of the recommendations of the Royal Commission," Yap reasoned.
"Most of these demands are not new. Unfortunately, they have yet to be addressed by the ruling parties," he added.
The fact that these issues remain outstanding for years, according to Yap, is a reflection of the urgent need for a thorough political reform.
"We want to see change. And we are calling on all voters to send a strong and clear message to the politicians that human rights does matter."
On the similarity of its demands with opposition parties’ campaign topics, Yap said it was merely coincidental.
"The values and human rights we speak of are universal. It shouldn’t take an opposition group to find common ground with us. In fact, if the next government adopted these suggestions, it wouldn’t be fought on the opposition platform."
